Miami, July 2025. — In a moment that blends history, fashion, and cultural pride, Cuba has officially returned to Miss Universe after 57 years away. The island, absent from the global stage since 1967, reappears with new representatives who embody not only glamour but also a narrative of resilience and belonging.
✧ A Half-Century of Silence
Cuba was an active participant in Miss Universe from 1952 until 1967, sending striking queens who captivated audiences. But in the 1960s, Fidel Castro’s government banned beauty pageants, dismissing them as “superficial and unnecessary.”
That decision abruptly ended Cuba’s participation in international competitions. For decades, the island’s absence became symbolic. Attempts by the diaspora—such as alternative contests like “Miss Cuba Libre”—never reached global recognition. The silence endured: 57 years without a Cuban sash on the Miss Universe stage.
✧ The 2024 Return: Marianela Ancheta
The long wait ended in September 2024, when Marianela Ancheta, a 28-year-old model born in Havana and based in Miami, was crowned Miss Universe Cuba at the James L. Knight Center.
Her presence at the world competition in Mexico was historic: Cuba had returned, and Ancheta reached the Top 30, a remarkable debut that made international headlines and ignited excitement within the Cuban community across the globe.
Marianela not only restored Cuba’s presence on stage but also opened the door for the sash to once again shine at one of the most watched events in the world.
✧ The Continuation in 2025: Lina Luaces
Just a year later, the story continues with a familiar face. Lina Luaces, daughter of TV host Lili Estefan and niece of music icons Emilio and Gloria Estefan, was crowned Miss Universe Cuba 2025.
Representing Santiago de Cuba, Luaces stood out with charisma and confidence. She also earned the title of Miss Press, awarded by accredited media covering the national competition. Her win reinforces Cuba’s new era in Miss Universe, proving that the comeback was not a one-time event but the beginning of a lasting tradition【as.com†source】.
In her first statements, Lina revealed that she declined the opportunity to compete for Miss USA because she “doesn’t feel American.” Instead, she embraces her Cuban identity and says it is an honor to represent her roots at the 74th Miss Universe pageant, which will be held this year in Thailand.
✧ A Return Organized from the Diaspora
Interestingly, the Miss Universe Cuba competition is not held on the island itself but in Miami, the heart of the Cuban diaspora. This reflects a cultural paradox: while restrictions persist in Cuba, it is abroad where Cuban identity finds global projection.
The 2024 edition, organized by Nuestra Belleza Nacional Cuba under official Miss Universe license, was broadcast from Miami and celebrated not only a queen, but also a community’s reconnection with visibility on the world stage.
✧ More Than a Beauty Pageant
Cuba’s return to Miss Universe should not be seen merely as spectacle. For many, it symbolizes:
- Cultural identity restored: after decades, Cuban women are once again represented internationally.
- Dialogue between generations: young women born in Cuba and those raised in the diaspora unite in a shared project of heritage.
- Women’s visibility: these queens embody not only beauty but also empowerment, resilience, and pride in their roots.
✧ What Lies Ahead
With Marianela Ancheta opening the door in 2024 and Lina Luaces consolidating continuity in 2025, Cuba enters a new chapter: competing regularly in Miss Universe after nearly six decades.
The challenge now is to sustain this representation, diversify candidates’ profiles, and prove that this is not an isolated occurrence, but the rebirth of a long-interrupted tradition.
✧ A Glimpse into the Future
In today’s Miss Universe, where contestants are judged not only on beauty but also on talent and voice, Cuba has a new chance: to showcase its culture, fashion, and women’s narratives to the world.
Miss Universe is no longer just a catwalk—it is a global platform. And on that stage, the sash of “Cuba” shines again, a symbol of history, pride, and future.
